National Hispanic Heritage Month — Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins each year on Sept. 15, celebrates U.S. Latinos, their culture and their history. Started in 1968 by Congress as Hispanic Heritage Week, it was expanded to a month in 1988. The celebration begins in the middle rather than the start of September because it coincides with national independence days in several Latin American countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica celebrate theirs on Sept. 15, followed by Mexico on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18 and Belize on Sept. 21. And on October 12, Dia de la Raza (Race Day) is also celebrated. It’s celebrated this day because it is also Columbus Day, and it recognizes the mixed indigenous and European heritage of Mexico.
As part of this year’s campaign, we are highlighting Hispanic values, economic power of Latinos, and population growth. This Hispanic Heritage month, we invite you to join us in celebration **that with Latinos, everything is possible.**

Celebrating Hispanics: Values, Economic Impact, & Population Growth

We celebrate to give recognition to the Hispanic and Latino vibrant, rich heritage and many contributions and histories that have enriched our land with food, dance, music, culture, language, sprit of service, sense of unity and community, civic contributions, and so much more. Hispanic values, our economic power, and population growth is worth the celebration. This Hispanic Heritage month we invite you to join us in celebration that with Latinos, everything is possible.

We recognize that Hispanic values are American values, and our success is deeply tied to uplifting familia and community. We call this “Familismo” (emphasis on family), and respect are core Latino values that promote strong family bonds and social support. Additionally, Latinos are hard workers, resilient, and resourceful. The Pew Research Center in 2013 reported that “Hispanics expect their standard of living to be better than that of their parents (75%) and expect their children to be better off than themselves (72%).” As we see Hispanic and Latino values interwoven into American values, we also see that the economic power that Latinos bring to the United States is of great impact, and this is why we feel that with Latinos, everything is possible.

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The Latino economy is strong and growing. Latinos generate new businesses more than any other group in the country. According to the U.S. Latino GDP Report by Latino Donor Collaborative, “the total economic output in the United States was $3.2 trillion in 2021, making it the fifth-largest economy in the world.” Additionally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistic, 2003-2016 illustrates that Latino consumption is growing by 6 percent each year which this growth has been propelled by an increase in the number of high-income Latino households. The economic impact is also contributed by the growing Hispanic and Latino population, and this is worth celebrating, that with Latinos everything is possible.

It is impossible to ignore any longer the continuous population growth of this fast-growing young community, which is shaping the United States. Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the U.S. According to the Pew Research Center in 2022, “since 1970, the Latino population has grown more than sixfold” contributing to the outpacing growth rates of other groups in the U.S. We are learning that Latinos are young and will drive population growth and demographic changes for decades to come. As more Latinos are born in the US—strengthened by their younger age profile and higher birth rates – their share of the workforce is increasing.

In summary, Hispanic and Latino culture enriches the American tapestry with vibrant traditions, values, and contributions. During Hispanic Heritage month, we honor their profound impact on society, from their commitment to family and community to their economic influence and optimistic outlook. Let’s continue to celebrate the invaluable role Hispanic and Latino Americans in shaping a diverse and dynamic United States, where with Latinos, everything is possible.